DODD DISPLAYS DEPTH OF UNDERSTANDING AND EXPERIENCE AT UNIVISION FORUM – Presidential Candidate Connects with Latino Community, Highlights Mastery of Issues

“A day after unveiling his comprehensive Cuba policy, Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd – fluent in Spanish from his service in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic – again displayed his leadership, firm grasp of the issues at hand and proven experience at the first ever Spanish language presidential forum. Dodd, long considered an expert on Latin American affairs, illustrated his broad appeal to the community by highlighting his strong commitment to the issues most important to Latinos.

“We’re allowing Hugo Chavez to win a public relations battle in Latin America because we don’t invest enough and care enough about people who are suffering in this part of the world. We have 1.6 billion dollars for all of Latin America. We’ll spend 500 billion dollars in Iraq for a nation of twenty-five million people. A fraction of that could make a difference in Latin America,” said Dodd, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs.

“We can have these health care plans, but we need leadership in this country that knows how to get it done. We can all talk about these ideas, but no one party is going to decide these issues. It’s going to take political leadership that can build these coalitions as I have done over my 26 years in the Senate, bringing people together – Republicans and Democrats to get a national universal health care system in America – Americans deserve no less than that,” said Dodd, the author of the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act which has prevented millions of Americans from choosing between the job they need and the family they love. Dodd recently put forward a health care plan that would provide affordable, universal health care coverage to all Americans within 4 years.

“The question is whether or not we’re going to sit on the sidelines or be a part of this transition in Cuba. Fifty years of this policy, of the embargo, has basically left the same man in power, the same repressive politics, an economy that is failing the country. He’s been using that as an excuse for his own failures. As President of the United States I would begin to unravel that embargo. I would lift travel restrictions so Cuban Americans can go visit their families. We need to engage in a constructive and positive way, this is hurting us and countries throughout the Americas. Our ability to engage the rest of the hemisphere is directly related to our ability to engage intelligently in this transition. It takes new bold leadership to do this. We need to understand that the hopes and aspirations of the Cuban people are as important as anything to us,” said Dodd, who yesterday unveiled his comprehensive Cuba policy.

“Chris Dodd once again showed that he has the depth of understanding and experience on the issues that the next President will need,” said Dodd’s Campaign Manager Sheryl Cohen. “His vision for America reflects his experience, his ability to connect with the American people and his understanding of our most complex issues. We’re looking forward to building off the momentum generated tonight to continue to spread our message.”

“Chris Dodd’s commitment to the Latino community and his proven track record of success set him apart,” said Dodd Campaign Co-Chair Xavier Becerra, a former chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “From putting forward a truly universal health care plan to being the only candidate to call for free community college for all, Senator Dodd’s bold policies make him the best candidate to turn this country around after the failures of the Bush-Cheney administration.”

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